Pulled Between Stopped Vehicles

Newtown Police report Beverly McGrath, 70, of Southbury, operating a 2018 Volvo S60, was traveling north on South Main Street, stopped her vehicle and then proceeded to turn left onto Country Club Road at 3:41 pm February 10. While turning left, McGrath moved through the left southbound travel lane between two stopped, uninvolved vehicles, before her vehicle made contact with a 2014 Chevrolet Equinox operated by Rocha Parrilla, 28, of Bridgeport, who was traveling south in the right-hand lane of travel.

Police say Parrilla was transported to a local hospital complaining of chest and neck pain. A passenger in Parilla’s vehicle was also transported. McGrath was evaluated by EMS but not transported. Both vehicles were towed.

McGrath was issued an infraction for failure to grant right-of-way while making a left turn.

Collision In Parking Lot

Newtown Police report Kaelyn Licata, 17, of Sandy Hook, operating a 2022 Toyota RAV4, was moving in a travel lane in the parking lot of Newtown High School at 2:42 pm February 13. Alexandra Checchia, 17, of Sandy Hook, was traveling in a travel lane that intersected with Licata’s. Police say the front passenger side bumper of Licata’s vehicle struck the front driver’s side bumper area of Checchia’s vehicle, causing minor damage to both.

No injuries were reported. Neither vehicle was towed.

No enforcement action was taken.

Struck Rock

Newtown Police report Justin Gaydosh, 38, of Newtown, operating a 2017 Ford F350, was negotiating a curve in the roadway while traveling westbound on Washbrook Road at 3:18 pm February 13 when the pick-up went off the right side of the road and the right front tire collided with a rock.

No injuries were reported. Gaydosh’s vehicle was towed.

Gaydosh was issued an infraction for operating a motor vehicle without a license and making a restricted turn.

Went Off Road, Hit Tree

Newtown Police report Luca Fuzari, 28, of Danbury, operating a 2015 Infiniti Q50, was traveling eastbound on Hopewell Road at 6:49 pm February 13. Police say Fuzari’s vehicle went off the roadway to the right and struck a tree.

No injuries were reported. Fuzari’s vehicle was towed.

Fuzari was issued a verbal warning for making a restricted turn.

Misuse Of Plates

Newtown Police report that officers stopped a motor vehicle traveling on Washington Avenue with excessively loud exhaust at 11:59 am February 14. Upon investigation, police arrested Roni Bajraliu of Sandy Hook, and issued them a misdemeanor summons for misuse of plates, defective exhaust, and no registration. The vehicle was towed.

Rear-Ended In Traffic

Newtown Police report Julie Sowell, 60, of Southbury, operating a 2015 Subaru Forrester, was stopped in traffic in the westbound lane of Church Hill Road at 4:45 pm February 14. She was behind a 2017 Hyundai Elantra operated by Fern Paes, 67, of Sandy Hook. Police say Paes began traveling forward, and the right front bumper of Sowell’s vehicle struck the right rear bumper of Paes’ vehicle.

No injuries were reported. Sowell’s vehicle was towed.

Sowell was issued an infraction for following too closely.

Mirrors Collided

Newtown Police report Paul Downey, 59, of Danbury, operating a 2005 GMC C8500, was traveling north on Hanover Road at 10:27 am February 15. Steve Browne, 40, of Trumbull, operating a 2021 International Hx620 tractor trailer, was traveling south on Hanover Road. As the vehicles passed, the exterior mirrors struck each other. Both vehicles were in their respective lanes and had not encroached on the opposing lane.

No enforcement action was taken.

Both Vehicles Towed

Newtown Police report Gunther Naumann, 80, of Newtown, operating a 2017 Chevrolet Cruze, was stopped at the stop sign on Bryan Lane at South Main Street. Elena Colafrancesco, 63, of Newtown, operating a 2017 Subaru Outback, was traveling southbound on South Main Street. Police say Naumann attempted to turn left onto South Main Street, and the front left bumper of his vehicle struck the front left bumper of Colafrancesco’s vehicle.

No injuries were reported. Both vehicles were towed.

Naumann was issued an infraction for failure to grant right-of-way at a stop sign.

DUI Arrest

Newtown Police report at 4:30 pm February 15, officers were conducting traffic enforcement on Philo Curtis Road. A motor vehicle was stopped for traveling unreasonably fast and further investigation revealed the operator to be driving under the influence.

Police say the operator, Kevin McCarthy, 31, of Sandy Hook, was arrested and charged with traveling fast and driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs. He was released on a promise to appear and given a court date of March 2 in Danbury Superior Court.

Multiple Charges

Newtown Police report Geordan Campbell, 20, of New York, N.Y., was arrested at 11:58 am February 16 at 97 South Main Street and charged with disorderly conduct, assault in the 3rd degree, and separately, for first-degree larceny. He was released on two separate $5,000 bonds and issued separate court dates on February 17 and March 2 (for the larceny charge). According to Newtown Police, the accused had two outstanding 2022 warrants out for his arrest when he was located in an allegedly stolen rental car that was tracked to the Newtown location on February 16.

Crash Leaving Gas Station

Newtown Police report Nadja Kenol, 53, of Sandy Hook, operating a 2021 Toyota RAV4, was exiting a gas station on Church Hill Road at 1:11 pm February 16. Amy Hall, 43, of New Fairfield, operating a 2017 Hyundai Accent was traveling westbound on Church Hill Road. Police say Kenol’s vehicle struck Hall’s vehicle.

No injuries were reported. Neither vehicle was towed.

Kenol was given a verbal warning for failure to grant right-of-way from a public driveway.

Struck Utility Pole

Newtown Police report Andrea Arruda, 36, of Sandy Hook, operating a 2021 Lexus NX 300, was traveling southbound on New Lebbon Road at 2:49 pm February 16. Arruda’s vehicle ran off the roadway to the right, striking an Eversource utility pole with its right front bumper. The vehicle swung left upon impact, where it came to rest.

Arruda was transported to Danbury Hospital after complaining of knee pain. Her vehicle was towed.

Arruda was issued a verbal warning for making a restricted turn.

Hit Gas Instead Of Brake

Newtown Police report Eileen Tabasko, 71, of Brookfield, operating a 2020 Chevrolet Blazer, was backing up in a driveway at Webster Place at 4:39 pm February 16. Tabasko accidentally hit the gas pedal instead of the brake and struck a tree.

No injuries were reported. The vehicle was not towed.

No enforcement action was taken since the incident occurred on private property.

Arrested On Larceny Warrant

Newtown Police traveled to the Naugatuck Police Department at 5:30 pm February 18 to take into custody Navia Bruce, 47, of Naugatuck, on an active arrest warrant in her name, originating from a larceny investigation by Newtown Police in August 2022.

Bruce was transported to Newtown and processed, where she was charged with third-degree larceny.

Bruce was released on a $10,000 bond with a court date of February 28 in Danbury Superior Court.

Hit Hydrant

Newtown Police report Edward Saunders, 61, of Sandy Hook, operating a 2021 Subaru Outback, was traveling north on Queen Street at 11:15 am February 20. Police say while putting down his cell phone, Saunders’ vehicle drifted right and struck a fire hydrant, knocking the hydrant over.

No injuries were reported. Saunders’ vehicle was towed.

Saunders was issued a verbal warning for making a restricted turn.

Backed Into Utility Pole

Newtown Police report Kathleen Tsaousis, 72, of Newtown, operating a 2017 Kia Forte, was traveling southbound on South Main Street at 5:20 pm February 20. Tsaousis turned left onto Borough Lane, then reversed her vehicle southbound on South Main Street with the intention of turning around to travel northbound on South Main Street. While reversing, her vehicle struck a utility pole.

No injuries were reported. Tsaousis’ vehicle was not towed.

Tsaousis was given a verbal warning for improper backing.

Drivers Collide

Newtown Police report Justin Feinstein, 16, of Monroe, operating a 2004 Audi A4, was traveling northbound on South Main Street and was making a left-hand turn into the plaza at 274 South Main Street at 4:16 pm February 21. Luc Parr, 17, of New Fairfield, operating a 2011 Toyota RAV4, was traveling southbound on South Main Street.

Police say Parr’s vehicle struck the rear passenger’s side of Feinstein’s vehicle as Feinstein made the turn.

Feinstein was evaluated by Newtown EMS and declined transport. Both vehicles were towed.

Feinstein was issued a verbal warning for failure to grant right-of-way to oncoming traffic.